Windshield wiper connector

ABSTRACT

A wiper blade connector including a body member having a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between the first and second side walls and a connector securing structure, which may include a rivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage, and a wiper blade incorporating same.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/444,754 filed Jun. 18, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/815,068 filed on Nov. 16, 2017, which is aContinuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 14/827,928 filed Aug. 17,2015, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/329,423 filedJul. 11, 2014, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No.13/194,070 filed Jul. 29, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to windshield wiper blades, and moreparticularly, to a wiper blade connector that allows the windshieldwiper blade to be coupled with multiple types of windshield wiper armconfigurations.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of wiper arms on which wiper blades are provided asoriginal equipment. These various wiper arms have hooks, pins, or otherconfigurations which may connect to the wiper blade with or withoutconnectors. These various configurations have created a problem in thereplacement market because wiper blade providers are required to havemultiple wiper blade configurations to accommodate all of the existingwiper arms. It is therefore advantageous to have attachment structuresthat can accommodate a host of arms to reduce the complexity and costassociated with plurality of wiper blade arm configuration.

Two commonly used wiper arms in the art include the single tongue wiperarm disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,891,044, the entire contents of whichis incorporated herein by reference, and the double tongue wiper armdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,716,780, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. To fit both the '044 wiper arm and the'780 wiper arm requires a particularly sized and structured wiper bladeconnector to be compatible with the single tongue wiper arm and thedouble tongue wiper arm, respectively. To install an original equipmentreplacement blade onto a single tongue wiper arm, the wiper blade (withaffixed wiper blade connector) must be joined with the wiper arm at anawkward angle such that the wiper arm's tongue engages the tonguereceiver located on the wiper blade connector. The wiper blade andconnector pairing is then rotated to bring it into a position parallelto the wiper blade arm, thereby locking the wiper blade assembly intoplace. A similarly arduous process is required for installation of anoriginal equipment replacement wiper blade with a double tongue wiperarm. The front tongue engages the tongue receiver, similar to the singletongue connection process, after which the wiper blade and connectorpairing must be rotated towards the wiper arm while ensuring that therear tongue does not interfere with the cover of the second tonguereceiver. After the rear tongue has cleared the cover, the wiper bladeand connector pair must be pulled backwards for locked attachment withthe wiper arm.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Rather thanspecifically identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention, its purpose, inter alia, is topresent some concepts of the invention in accordance with the disclosurein a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description thatis presented later.

In certain embodiments, a connector for connecting a wiper blade isprovided in accordance with the disclosure. The connector may include abody member having a a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surfaceextending between the first and second side walls. The connector mayfurther include a connector securing structure, which may include arivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clipextending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly is further provided inaccordance with the disclosure. The wiper blade assembly may include: awiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and aconnector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm. The connector mayinclude a body member having a first side wall, a second wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls. The connectormay further include a connector securing structure, which may include arivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clipextending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with awiper arm is provided in accordance with the disclosure. The connectormay include: an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, afirst side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between thefirst and second side walls; a connector securing structure. Theconnector securing structure may include a rivet passage and an arcuaterivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicularextending to the rivet passage. The connector may further include afirst side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outersurface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongatebody member. The connector may further include a first tongue receivingopening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, wherethe first tongue opening may be structured to receive a correspondingfront tongue on the wiper arm. The cap may be a U-shaped cap having anupper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first sideprotrusion provided on an interior surface of the first side wall of thecap. The first side protrusion of the cap may be correspondinglydimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as thecap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the capoperable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiperarm. The first side channel may be oriented in a direction correspondingwith the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the capthereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are indicative ofbut a few of the various ways in which the principles of the inventionmay be employed and the present invention is intended to include allsuch aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel featuresof the invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when considered in conjunction with thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper blade connectorof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of a first end of the wiper bladeconnector of FIG. 1 , and illustrating the range of motion of thepartially rotatable door member;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the first end of the wiper blade connector ofFIG. 1 , shown in cross section, illustrating the partially rotatabledoor member;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the partially rotatable door member;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a single tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a double tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1illustrating the rotational movement of a single tongue wiper arm forattachment with the wiper blade connector;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1illustrating the rotational movement of a double tongue wiper arm forattachment with the wiper blade connector;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 1 locked ontoa single tongue wiper arm;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a wiper blade assembly, illustrating theapproach of a wiper blade connector and single tongue wiper arm pairingfor securing to a wiper blade;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a wiper blade assembly, illustrating the wiperblade connector of FIG. 1 securing a wiper blade to a single tonguewiper arm;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper bladeconnector in accordance with the present disclosure, with the cap in the“open” position;

FIG. 12 is a first side view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11with the cap removed;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cap of the wiper blade connector ofFIG. 11 ;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wiper blade connector of FIG. 11 ,with and a wiper arm;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the wiper blade of FIG. 11 with the capin the “closed” position;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiper bladeconnector of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a side view of a wiper blade connector embodiment of thewiper blade connector of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 illustrates a wiper blade having a mounting base with a rivet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the disclosure, the terms “a” or “an” may refer to one ormore than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to anonexclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, references to“one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recitedfeatures. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary,embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or aplurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

The following detailed description and the appended drawings describeand illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosure solely for thepurpose of enabling one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to makeand use the invention. As such, the detailed description andillustration of these embodiments are purely exemplary in nature and arein no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, or itsprotection, in any manner. It should also be understood that thedrawings may not be to scale and in certain instances details may havebeen omitted, which are not necessary for an understanding of thepresent invention, such as conventional details of fabrication andassembly. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as“examples,” are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the subject matter disclosed herein. It is to beunderstood that the embodiments may be combined or that otherembodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, andelectrical variations may be made without departing from the scope ofthe subject matter disclosed herein. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of thesubject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

One embodiment of a wiper blade connector for connecting a wiper bladeto a wiper arm may include the following components: an elongate bodymember having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second sidewall, and a top surface extending between the first and second sidewalls; an arcuate rivet clip extending between said first side wall andsaid second side wall, said arcuate rivet clip being structured anddisposed for releasably securing the wiper blade to said connector, andsaid arcuate rivet clip being sized to allow said releasably securedwiper blade to pivot during operation of said wiper blade; a rivetpassage extending between said first side wall and said second sidewall, said rivet passage being structured and disposed for providingexposed access to said arcuate rivet clip; a first tongue receivingopening located towards the front end of said elongate body member, saidfirst tongue receiving opening being structured and disposed forreceiving a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm, the wiper armthereby contacting the top surface as the front tongue of the wiper armis received in the first tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanismcapable of releasably locking said connector to said wiper arm, thelocking mechanism comprising a door member rotatable about an axis,wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sidesof the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, thedoor member operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and aclosed locked position, the entire portion of the door membersurrounding the axis is rotatable about the axis, said open unlockedposition serving to provide access to said first tongue receivingopening, and said closed locked position serving to releasably lock saidcorresponding front tongue within said first tongue receiving opening;and a second tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end ofsaid elongate body member, said second receiving opening beingstructured and disposed for receiving a corresponding rear tongue on thewiper arm.

In some embodiments of the connector, the partially rotatable doormember may further include a flared hood sized for grasping by a user,thereby allowing the user to pivot the partially rotatable door memberbetween said open unlocked position and said closed locked position. Therear end of the elongate body may include a shoulder extending alongeach of the first and second side walls, the should being structured anddisposed for releasably engaging corresponding wing members on the wiperarm. The front end of the elongate body may further include a rampextending along each of the first and second side walls, the ramp beingstructured and disposed for guiding the first tongue of the wiper arminto the first tongue receiving opening. The arcuate rivet clip may havea diameter larger than the rivet passage, thereby allowing for snappedattachment of the wiper blade to the connector. The top surface maylongitudinally extend along the majority of the length of the elongatebody member between the front and rear ends. The locking mechanism mayfurther include a pair of locking walls, the rotatable door receivedbetween the pair of locking walls and the axis extending between thelocking walls.

In another embodiment of a connector for connecting a wiper blade to awiper arm, the connector may include the following components: anelongate body member having a front end, a rear end, a first side wall,a second side wall, and a top surface extending between the first andsecond side walls; a connector securing structure comprising an arcuaterivet clip; a rivet passage extending between said first side wall andsaid second side wall, said rivet passage being structured and disposedfor providing exposed access to said arcuate rivet clip, and said rivetpassage being sized smaller than the diameter of said arcuate rivetclip, thereby allowing for snapped attachment of said wiper blade tosaid connector; a first tongue receiving opening located on the frontend of said elongate body member, said first tongue receiving openingbeing structured and disposed for receiving a corresponding front tongueon the wiper arm; a second tongue receiving opening located towards therear end of said elongate body member, said second tongue receivingopening structured as an opening in the top surface, a correspondingrear tongue on the wiper arm insertable through the second tonguereceiving opening thereby positioning at least a portion of the reartongue below the top surface, the wiper arm thereby contacting the topsurface as the front tongue of the wiper arm is received in the firsttongue receiving opening and the second tongue of the wiper arm isreceived in the second tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanismcapable of releasably locking said connector to said wiper arm, thelocking mechanism comprising a door member rotatable about an axis,wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sidesof the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, theentire portion of the door member surrounding the axis is rotatableabout the axis, the door member operable to rotate between an openunlocked position and a closed locked position; and a tab protrudinginto the second tongue receiving opening in order to facilitate securingthe corresponding rear tongue of the wiper arm when received in thesecond tongue receiving opening.

In some embodiments of the connector, the door member may furtherinclude a flared hood sized for grasping by a user, thereby allowing theuser to pivot the partially rotatable door member between said openunlocked position and said closed locked position. The front end of theelongate body may further include a ramp extending along each of thefirst and second side walls, the ramp being structured and disposed forguiding the first tongue of the wiper arm into the first tonguereceiving opening. The top surface may longitudinally extend along themajority of the length of the elongate body member between the front andrear ends. The locking mechanism may further include a pair of lockingwalls, the rotatable door received between the pair of locking walls andthe axis extending between the locking walls.

An embodiment of a wiper assembly may include a wiper blade having amounting base, and a connector for connecting the wiper blade to a wiperarm. The connector may include: an elongate body member having a frontend, a rear end, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls; an arcuaterivet clip extending between said first side wall and said second sidewall, said arcuate rivet clip being structured and disposed forreleasably securing the wiper blade to said connector, and said arcuaterivet clip being sized to allow said releasably secured wiper blade topivot during operation of said wiper blade; a rivet passage extendingbetween said first side wall and said second side wall, said rivetpassage being structured and disposed for providing exposed access tosaid arcuate rivet clip; a first tongue receiving opening locatedtowards the front end of said elongate body member, said first tonguereceiving opening being structured and disposed for receiving acorresponding front tongue on the wiper arm, the wiper arm therebycontacting the top surface as the front tongue of the wiper arm isreceived in the first tongue receiving opening; a locking mechanismcapable of releasably locking said connector to said wiper arm, thelocking mechanism comprising a door member rotatable about an axis,wherein the axis is located within the door member such that all sidesof the axis are surrounded by at least a portion of the door member, thedoor member operable to rotate between an open unlocked position and aclosed locked position, the entire portion of the door membersurrounding the axis is rotatable about the axis, said open unlockedposition serving to provide access to said first tongue receivingopening, and said closed locked position serving to releasably lock saidcorresponding front tongue within said first tongue receiving opening;and a second tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end ofsaid elongate body member, said second receiving opening beingstructured and disposed for receiving a corresponding rear tongue on thewiper arm.

In another embodiment of a connector for connecting a wiper blade to awiper arm, the connector may include: an elongate body member having afront end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls; a connectorsecuring structure; a first tongue receiving opening located towards thefront end of the elongate body member, the first tongue openingstructured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; anda cap provided proximate to the front end of the connector, the capslidable between an open position and a closed position, the capoperable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiperarm. The connector may further include a side channel longitudinallyextending along a portion of the first side wall proximate the first endof the elongate body member; and a side indent provided on an interiorside surface of the cap, the side indent correspondingly dimensioned andpositioned to slide along the first side wall as the cap is slid betweenthe open and closed positions. The connector may further include asecond side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of thesecond side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member;and an additional side indent provided on an opposed interior sidesurface of the cap, the additional side indent correspondinglydimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as thecap is slid between the open and closed positions. The connector mayfurther include a front locking tab provided within the first tongueopening, the front locking tab including a top portion and an armportion connecting the top portion with the elongate body member; alocking tab channel provided on an under side surface of the cap, thelocking tab channel conformingly dimensioned to permit the top portionof the front locking tab to slide along the locking tab channel as thecap is slid between the open and closed position. The connector mayfurther include a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent tolocking tab channel, the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the topportion of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top portion ofthe locking tab when the cap is in the closed position. In someembodiments a resilient portion of the cap projects into the locking tabchannel in order to increase the longitudinal force required to slidethe top portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity. Theconnector may further include an upper tab projecting from an undersidesurface of the cap, the upper tab contacting the upper surface of theelongate body member. In some embodiments the distance which the uppertab projects from the underside surface is a clearance distance betweencap and the upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearancedistance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion ofthe received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.In some embodiments the connector securing structure includes a rivetpassage and an arcuate rivet clip, wherein the arcuate rivet clipextends between the first and second side walls and is structured anddisposed for releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, andthe arcuate rivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiperblade to pivot during operation of the wiper blade; and the rivetpassage extending between the first and second side walls, the rivetpassage structured and disposed to permit access to the arcuate rivetclip.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, a connector for connecting awiper blade to a wiper arm may include: an elongate body member having afront end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls; a connectorsecuring structure; a first tongue receiving opening located towards thefront end of the elongate body member, the first tongue openingstructured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; asecond tongue receiving opening located towards the rear end of theelongate body member, the second tongue opening structured to receive acorresponding rear tongue on the wiper arm; and a cap provided proximateto the front end of the connector, the cap slidable between an openposition and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the receivedcorresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector may furtherinclude a rear tab projecting into the rear tongue opening, at least adistal portion of the rear tongue fittable underneath the rear tab whenreceived in the second tongue opening. The connector may furtherinclude: a side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of thefirst side wall proximate the first end of the elongate body member; aside indent provided on an interior side surface of the cap, the sideindent correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along thefirst side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closedpositions; a second side channel longitudinally extending along aportion of the second side wall proximate the first end of the elongatebody member; an additional side indent provided on an opposed interiorside surface of the cap, the additional side indent correspondinglydimensioned and positioned to slide along the second side wall as thecap is slid between the open and closed positions; a front locking tabprovided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tabincluding a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portionwith the elongate body member; a locking tab channel provided on anunder side surface of the cap, the locking channel conforminglydimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slidealong the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open andclosed position; a locking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent tothe locking tab channel, the cavity conformingly dimensioned with thetop portion of the locking tab and positioned to receive the top portionof the locking tab when the cap is in the closed position, a resilientportion of the cap projecting into the locking tab channel in order toincrease the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of thelocking tab into and out of the cavity; and an upper tab projecting aclearance distance from the underside surface of the cap, the upper tabcontacting the upper surface of the elongate body member, the clearancedistance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over a distal portion ofthe received front tongue as the cap is slid into the closed position.

An embodiment of a wiper blade assembly is further provided inaccordance with the disclosure, where the wiper blade assembly mayinclude: a wiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; anda connector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connectorcomprising: an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, afirst side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between thefirst and second side walls; a connector securing structure; a firsttongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the elongatebody member, the first tongue opening structured to receive acorresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; and a cap providedproximate to the front end of the connector, the cap slidable between anopen position and a closed position, the cap operable to secure thereceived corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. The connector ofthe wiper blade assembly may further include a side channellongitudinally extending along a portion of the first side wallproximate the first end of the elongate body member; and a side indentprovided on an interior side surface of the cap, the side indentcorrespondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the first sidewall as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions. The wiperblade assembly may further include a second side channel longitudinallyextending along a portion of the second side wall proximate the firstend of the elongate body member; and an additional side indent providedon an opposed interior side surface of the cap, the additional sideindent correspondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along thesecond side wall as the cap is slid between the open and closedpositions. The connector of the wiper blade assembly may further includea front locking tab provided within the first tongue opening, the frontlocking tab including a top portion and an arm portion connecting thetop portion with the elongate body member; a locking tab channelprovided on an under side surface of the cap, the locking tab channelconformingly dimensioned to permit the top portion of the front lockingtab to slide along the locking tab channel as the cap is slid betweenthe open and closed position. The connector may further include alocking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to locking tab channel,the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the top portion of the lockingtab and positioned to receive the top portion of the locking tab whenthe cap is in the closed position. In some embodiments, a resilientportion of the cap projects into the locking tab channel in order toincrease the longitudinal force required to slide the top portion of thelocking tab into and out of the cavity. The connector may furtherinclude an upper tab projecting from an underside surface of the cap,the upper tab contacting the upper surface of the elongate body member.In some embodiments, the which the upper tab projects from the undersidesurface is a clearance distance between cap and the upper surface of theelongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit thecap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as thecap is slid into the closed position.

In certain embodiments, a connector for connecting a wiper blade isprovided in accordance with the disclosure. The connector may include abody member having a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surfaceextending between the first and second side walls. The connector mayfurther include a connector securing structure, which may include arivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clipextending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, the connector securing structure is embodied onthe first side wall. In certain such embodiments, the connector securingstructure is embodied on the second side wall. In certain embodiments,the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing a rivet of a wiper blade.In certain embodiments, the arcuate rivet clip is capable of securing aprojections of a wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly is further provided inaccordance with the disclosure. The wiper blade assembly may include: awiper blade comprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; and aconnector for connecting a wiper blade to a wiper arm. The connector mayinclude a body member having a first side wall, a second wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls. The connectormay further include a connector securing structure, which may include arivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clipextending substantially perpendicular to the rivet passage.

In certain embodiments, the connector securing structure is embodied onthe first side wall. In certain such embodiments, the connector securingstructure is embodied on the second side wall. In certain embodiments,the mounting base further comprises a rivet and the arcuate rivet clipis capable of securing the rivet. In certain embodiments, the mountingbase further comprises at least one projection, and the arcuate rivetclip is capable of securing the at least one projection.

In certain embodiments, a connector for coupling a wiper blade with awiper arm is provided in accordance with the disclosure. The connectormay include: an elongate body member having a front end, a rear end, afirst side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extending between thefirst and second side walls; a connector securing structure. Theconnector securing structure may include a rivet passage and an arcuaterivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending substantially perpendicularextending to the rivet passage. The connector may further include afirst side channel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outersurface of the first side wall proximate the first end of the elongatebody member. The connector may further include a first tongue receivingopening located towards the front end of the elongate body member, wherethe first tongue opening may be structured to receive a correspondingfront tongue on the wiper arm. The cap may be a U-shaped cap having anupper wall and first and second side walls, and including a first sideprotrusion provided on an interior surface of the first side wall of thecap. The first side protrusion of the cap may be correspondinglydimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as thecap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the capoperable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiperarm. The first side channel may be oriented in a direction correspondingwith the longitudinal direction of the elongate body member, the capthereby slidable substantially parallel to the top surface.

In certain embodiments, a second side channel longitudinally extendingalong a portion of an outer surface of the second side wall proximatethe first end of the elongate body member; and an additional sideprotrusion provided on an opposed interior side surface of the cap, theadditional side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned toslide along the second side channel as the cap is slid between the openand closed positions. In certain embodiments a front locking tabprovided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tabincluding a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portionwith the elongate body member; and a locking tab channel provided on anunder side surface of the cap, the locking tab channel conforminglydimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slidealong the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open andclosed position. In certain embodiments a locking tab cavity provided onthe cap adjacent to locking tab channel, the cavity conforminglydimensioned with the top portion of the locking tab and positioned toreceive the top portion of the locking tab when the cap is in the closedposition.

In certain embodiments a resilient portion of the cap projects into thelocking tab channel in order to increase the longitudinal force requiredto slide the top portion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity.In certain embodiments an upper protrusion projecting from an undersidesurface of the cap, the upper tab contacting the upper surface of theelongate body member. In certain embodiments the distance which theupper protrusion projects from the underside surface is a clearancedistance between cap and the upper surface of the elongate body member,the clearance distance sufficient to permit the cap to slide over adistal portion of the received front tongue as the cap is slid into theclosed position. In certain embodiments the arcuate rivet clip extendsbetween the first and second side walls and is structured and disposedfor releasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and thearcuate rivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiper blade topivot during operation of the wiper blade; and the rivet passageextending between the first and second side walls, the rivet passagestructured and disposed to permit access to the arcuate rivet clip.

In certain embodiments, the wiper blade assembly may include a bodymember further having a front end, and a rear end. The connector mayfurther include a first side channel longitudinally extending along aportion of an outer surface of the first side wall proximate the frontend of the body member. The connector may further include a first tonguereceiving opening located towards the front end of the body member, thefirst tongue opening structured to receive a corresponding front tongueon the wiper arm. The connector may further include a U-shaped caphaving an upper wall and first and second side walls, and including afirst side protrusion provided on an interior surface of the first sidewall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondingly dimensionedand positioned to slide along the first side channel as the cap is slidbetween an open position and a closed position, the cap operable tosecure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm. Theconnector may further include wherein the first side channel is orientedin a direction corresponding with the longitudinal direction of the bodymember, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the topsurface.

In reference to FIGS. 1-5 , an embodiment of a wiper blade connector mayserve to releasably secure a wiper blade 50 to multiple types of wiperarms, including both single tongue wiper arms 60 and double tongue wiperarms 70. Wiper blade connector 10 may include an elongate body member 12having opposite facing side walls (14 a, 14 b), which may be connectableto a mounting base 40 of a wiper blade 50. The connector 10 may beconnected to the mounting base 40 through a connector securingstructure. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , connector 10may be provided with a connector securing structure that includes arivet passage 16 and an arcuate rivet clip 18, wherein the rivet passage16 may extend between side walls (14 a, 14 b), which may be open at thebottom and provides access to the arcuate rivet clip 18. The rivetpassage 16 may be sized slightly less than the diameter of the arcuaterivet clip 18, thereby allowing for snap-fit, captured receipt of arivet 42 located on the mounting base 40 of a wiper blade 50. Thearcuate rivet clip 18 may be sized to allow pivotal movement of thewiper blade 50 and its mounting base 40 relative to the connector 10 andwiper arm (60, 70). Other known or to be developed connector securingstructures for connecting connector 10 with mounting base 40 arecontemplated within the disclosure, including pegs, protrusions and/orrecesses, swapping the rivet to the connector and having the receivingclip on the mounting base, form fit connections, detented connections,and any other methods which allow pivotal movement of the wiper blade 50and its mounting base 40 relative to the connector 10 and wiper arm (60,70

FIG. 2 illustrates the top surface 20 of the elongate body member 12,which includes a first tongue receiving opening 22 for receiving a fronttongue (62, 72) of a wiper arm (60, 70), located at the front end of thewiper blade connector 10, and a second tongue receiving opening 24 forreceiving a rear tongue 74 of a double tongue wiper arm 70, which islocated at the rear end. Ramps (29 a, 29 b) located on opposite sides ofthe front end of the wiper blade connector 10 are provided for guidedreceipt of a front tongue (62, 72) into the first tongue receivingopening 22. The front end of the wiper blade connector 10 may furtherinclude a retractable locking mechanism, such as a partially rotatabledoor member 30, which may be rotated between an open position 32 and aclosed position 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3 . FIGS. 3A and 3B provideisolated illustrations of the partially rotatable door member 30, bothin conjunction with the front end of the wiper blade connector 10 andseparate from the wiper blade connector 10, respectively, which may berotatable about an axis 27. Detents can optionally be included to helpsecure the closed position 34 of the partially rotatable door member 30by engaging the flared hood 28 when the partially rotatable door member30 moves from the open position 32 into the closed position 34. Otherlocking mechanisms known in the art, including without limitation, ahinged lock, a cantilevered lock, and a spring lock may also be used inplace of a the rotatable door member 30.

Shoulder members (26 a, 26 b) protruding outwardly from correspondingside walls (14 a, 14 b) are included at the rear end of the wiper bladeconnector 10. The shoulder members (26 a, 26 b) are sized and shaped toreleasably engage corresponding rear wing members (36 a, 36 b), whichare located on opposite sides of a single tongue wiper arm 60, as shownin FIG. 4 . As further illustrated in FIG. 4 , some wiper arms may tapertowards the back end that is away from the first tongue (62, 72).Accordingly, in some embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous totaper the side walls (14 a, 14 b) of the connector 10 to accommodate thetapering shape of certain wiper arms.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the wiper blade connector 10 is connected to thesingle tongue wiper arm 60 by engaging the rear wing members (36 a, 36b) into the corresponding shoulder members (26 a, 26 b) and rotating thewiper blade connector 10 upwardly towards the single tongue wiper armsas shown by the directional arrows, such that ramps (29 a, 29 b) guidethe front tongue 62 to engaged receipt within the first tongue receivingopening 22 when the partially rotatable door member 30 is in an openposition 32. The partially rotatable door member 30 is then rotated tothe closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper blade connector 10 tothe single tongue wiper arm 60. The partially rotatable door member 30includes a flared hood 28 that provides a grasping point for the user torotate the partially rotatable door member 30 between the open position32 and closed position 34.

A double tongue wiper arm 70, illustrated in FIG. 5 , may be releasablysecured to the wiper blade connector 10 in a process similar toattachment of a wiper blade connector 10 to a single tongue wiper arm60, as described above. Referring to FIG. 7 , the wiper blade connector10 is connected to the double tongue wiper arm 70 by engaging the reartongue 74 within the rear tongue receiving opening 24 and rotating theblade connector upwardly, as shown by the directional arrows, such thatthe front tongue 72 is in line with, and engages, the first tonguereceiving opening 22 when the partially rotatable door member 30 is inan open position 32. The ramps (29 a, 29 b) assist in providing guidedreceipt of the front tongue 72 within the front tongue receiving opening22 as the double tongue wiper arm 70 is rotated about the shouldermembers (26 a, 26 b). The partially rotatable door member 30 is thenrotated to the closed position 34, thereby locking the wiper bladeconnector 10 to the double tongue wiper arm 70.

After securing the wiper blade connector 10 to a single tongue wiper arm60, as shown in FIG. 8 , or double tongue wiper arm 70, the wiper blade50 may be attached by snapping the rivet 42 located on the mounting base40 into the arcuate rivet clip 18, thereby completing the wiper bladeassembly, as illustrated for instance in FIGS. 9 and 10 .

FIGS. 11-18 illustrate an additional embodiment of a wiper bladeconnector 100, which may include an elongate body member 112 having afront end 113 a and a rear end 113 b. The elongate body member may becomposed of opposite facing side walls 114 a, 114 b as well as a topsurface 120. A rivet passage 116 may be defined may extend between sidewalls 114 a, 114 b which may open at the bottom thereby providing accessto an arcuate rivet clip 118. The rivet passage 116 and clip 118 may besized and dimensioned, substantially in accordance with the connector 10embodiment, so as to engage and secure a rivet 42 in a mounting base 40.

A first tongue opening 122 may be provided proximate or near front end113 b and a second tongue opening 124 may be provided proximate or nearrear end 113 a. Connector 100 may further include a cap 130 which may bemovable or slidable in the longitudinal direction between an openposition 132 and a closed position 134, where the first tongue opening122 is most exposed while the cap 130 is in the open position 132. Thecap 130 may also be detachable. FIGS. 11-17 illustrate an embodiment ofconnector 100 with cap 130 in the open position 132. FIG. 18 illustratesthis embodiment of connector 100 with cap 130 in the closed position. Inorder to accommodate the sliding of cap 130, one or more side channels131 a may be provided on at least one of side walls 114 a, 114 b. In oneembodiment, a pair of side channels 131 a are provided, with each sidechannel on an opposed side wall 114 a, 114 b. Side channels 131 a may besubstantially constructed as grooves or slots which are substantiallycoplanar with the respective side wall 114 a, 114 b which the sidechannel 131 a is provided on. Each of the one or more side channels maybe defined by the portion of side wall 114 a between a longitudinallyextending upper edge and a longitudinally extending lower edge. Thisupper edge may project away from its respective side wall 114 a, 114 bat a distance which is substantially the same as the corresponding loweredge. Body member 112 may further include an upper cap support surface133 a proximate to front end 113 b, and adjacent to each one or moreside channel 131 a. As for the second tongue opening 124, someembodiments include a rear tab 138 projecting the second tongue opening124. The second tongue opening 124 may be positioned proximate to therear end 113 a of body member 112.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of connector 100 with cap 130 removed,thereby showing the top portion of front locking tab 135 a isillustrated. Front locking tab 135 a includes the top portion, which isillustrated in FIG. 15 as a substantially rectangular component, as wellas an arm portion which extends towards and is attached to elongate bodymember 112. Other suitable shapes and sizes for the front locking tab135 a may also be used. The arm portion may be sufficiently recessedwithin first tongue opening 122 so as not to interfere with theinsertion of a front tongue into front tongue opening 122, as describedherein. The top portion of locking tab 135 a may be conformingly shapedand dimensioned with a locking tab cavity 135 b provided on an uppersurface of cap 130. When cap 130 is in the closed position 134, theupper portion of front locking tab 135 a may conformingly fit withincavity 135 b thereby securing cap 130 in the closed position 134.

A bottom perspective of the removed cap 130 is illustrated in FIG. 16 .Side indents or protrusions 131 b are illustrated on the interior ofside walls for cap 130. Each side indent 131 b may be conforminglyshaped with side cavity 131 a such that side indent 131 b may slidealongside cavity 131 a as cap 130 is slid between the open and closedpositions. Upper indents or protrusions 133 b may be further provided onthe underside of cap 130. Each upper indent 133 b may contact the uppercap support surface 133 a. Each upper indent 133 b project downwardsfrom the upper portion of cap 130, and in this regard the distance whichupper indent 133 b projects downwards may be the clearance distancebetween the upper portion of cap 130 and the upper cap contactingsurface 133 a of the body member 112. Additionally, on the interiorunderside of the upper portion of cap 130 may be a locking tab cavity135 b which may be sized and conformingly dimensioned with the upperportion of front locking tab 135 a. In this regard, the upper portion offront locking tab 135 a may slide along the locking tab channel 135 c asthe cap 130 is moved from the open position 132 to the closed position134, and the upper portion of front locking tab 135 a may conforminglyfit within locking tab cavity 135 b in order to secure cap 130 in theclosed position. A portion of the interior upper surface of cap 130 maybe resiliently project into the locking tab channel 135 c in order tosecure the locking tab 135 a within the cavity 135 b when the cap is inthe closed position. The interior upper surface of the cap may also bechamfered to facilitate the insertion and securing of the locking tab135 a. A longitudinal force, such as that applied by a user sliding cap130 between the open and closed positions 132, 134, may be increased soas to bias the resilient the portion of cap 130 within locking tabchannel 135 c thereby facilitating the passing of the upper portion oftab 135 a into and out of cavity 135 b.

FIG. 17 illustrates the securing of wiper arm 60 to connector 100. Ifcap 130 is in the open position 132, a front tongue 62, 72 of a wiperarm 60, 70 may be received within first tongue opening 122, and thefront tongue 62, 72 may be secured within first tongue opening 122 ascap 130 is slid towards closed position 134. The projected length ofupper indent 133 b thereby creates a clearance distance between the cap130 and cap support surface 133 a, which may thereby permit cap 130 toslide over the distal portion of front tongue 72 as it is locked intofront tongue opening 122. Side channels 131 a may thereby operate topermit a longitudinal sliding of cap 130 between the open and closedposition 132, 134, and front tab 135 a may operate to secure cap 130 inthe closed position 134. Further illustrated is second tongue 74 whichcan be fitted into second tongue receiving opening 124 such that atleast the distal portion of second tongue 74 is positioned below reartab 138, thereby securing second tongue 74 in second tongue receivingopening 124. It should be appreciated that Connector 100 is usable withboth a single and double tongue wiper arms.

A wiper blade may be provided with an embodiment of connector 10, 100 asdescribed herein. The wiper blade can be of any type suitable for usewith the present invention. For example, the wiper blade may be atraditional wiper blade having a plurality of frames which carry a wiperstrip, and has a mounting base embedded in, or attached to, theplurality of frames. The wiper blade may also be a bracketless or“beam”-type wiper blade, having one or more spring-elastic beams, awiper strip, and a mounting base. The wiper blade may also be a hybridwiper blade, having a combination of a beam and one or more frames, awiper strip, and a mounting base. Regardless of the type of wiper blade,it may have a mounting base which connects the wiper blade to the wiperarm (60, 70) through the use of a connector 10, 100. As discussed above,in certain embodiments, the mounting base 40 has a rivet extendingbetween two spaced apart side walls, which can pass through the rivetpassage 16, 116 in the connector 10, 100, until it is seated in thearcuate rivet clip 18, 118. In other embodiments, the mounting base 40can have one or more pins, holes, recesses, channels, or otherstructures corresponding to the connector's 10, 100 means for connectingto the mounting base 40.

In certain embodiments, the connector 10, 100 will preferably beconnected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50 prior toconnecting to the wiper arm (60, 70). In other embodiments, theconnector 10, 100 will preferably be connected to the wiper arm (60, 70)prior to being connected to the mounting base 40 of the wiper blade 50.In other embodiments, the connector 10, 100 may either be connectedfirst to the mount base 40 of the wiper blade 50 or to the wiper arm(60, 70).

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an additional embodiment of the connectorsecuring structure for connecting a connector 210 with a mounting base40. Connector 10 may include a rivet passage 216 and an arcuate rivetclip 218, wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends substantiallyperpendicular to the rivet passage such that the axis of the arcuaterivet clip is offset from the line extending along the middle of therivet passage. The arcuate rivet clip may extend between the first andsecond side walls (214 a, 214 b) and may be structured and disposed forreleasably securing the wiper blade to the connector, and the arcuaterivet clip sized to permit the releasably secured wiper blade to pivotduring operation of the wiper blade. The rivet passage may extendbetween the first and second side walls, and may be structured anddisposed to permit access to the arcuate rivet clip. This particularembodiment allows for an increased retention force (providing moresecurity) for the connector to remain attached to the wiper blade as ithas a “hook” like shape that will hold the connector on the rivet whenthe blade is tilted to the maximum angle in either the wiper tip downposition or wiper tail down position. In some embodiments it may beadvantageous for the angle θ formed between middle line of the rivetpassage 216 and the line from the top of same to the axis of the arcuaterivet clip is between 75 and 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 20 . Personsof skill in the art will recognize that the offset rivet clip discussedwith the disclosed concepts can be practiced with any type of connectorhaving one or more walls. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 ,the offset arcuate rivet clip 218 extends between the first and secondside walls. However such offset rivet clips 216 may be implemented on asingle wall, on more than two walls, or on some, but not all walls. Forexample some connectors may have a pair of internal side walls and apair of external side walls. The offset arcuate rivet clip 218 may beincluded on some or all of the side walls in such a connector.Similarly, persons of skill in the art will recognize that although thedescription used in conjunction with FIGS. 19-20 discusses connection toa rivet 42 disposed within the side walls of mounting base 40, as shownin FIG. 21 , the disclosed concepts may be practiced with any suitableconnection system, including replacing rivet 42 with internalprojections, or having a mounting base that has external projections.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordancewith a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for connecting a wiper blade to awiper arm, the connector comprising: an elongate body member having afront end, a rear end, a first side wall, a second wall, and a topsurface extending between the first and second side walls; a connectorsecuring structure, wherein the connector securing structure comprises arivet passage and an arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clipextending from the rivet passage at an angle between 75 and 90 degrees,the rivet passage and the arcuate rivet clip together having a hook likeshape; a first side channel longitudinally extending along a portion ofan outer surface of the first side wall proximate the first end of theelongate body member; a first tongue receiving opening located towardsthe front end of the elongate body member, the first tongue openingstructured to receive a corresponding front tongue on the wiper arm; anda U-shaped cap having an upper wall and first and second side walls, andincluding a first side protrusion provided on an interior surface of thefirst side wall of the cap, the first side protrusion correspondinglydimensioned and positioned to slide along the first side channel as thecap is slid between an open position and a closed position, the capoperable to secure the received corresponding front tongue on the wiperarm, wherein the first side channel is oriented in a directioncorresponding with the longitudinal direction of the elongate bodymember, the cap thereby slidable substantially parallel to the topsurface.
 2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a second sidechannel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface ofthe second side wall proximate the first end of the elongate bodymember; and an additional side protrusion provided on an opposedinterior side surface of the cap, the additional side protrusioncorrespondingly dimensioned and positioned to slide along the secondside channel as the cap is slid between the open and closed positions.3. The connector of claim 1 further comprising: a front locking tabprovided within the first tongue opening, the front locking tabincluding a top portion and an arm portion connecting the top portionwith the elongate body member; and a locking tab channel provided on anunder side surface of the cap, the locking tab channel conforminglydimensioned to permit the top portion of the front locking tab to slidealong the locking tab channel as the cap is slid between the open andclosed position.
 4. The connector of claim 3, further comprising alocking tab cavity provided on the cap adjacent to locking tab channel,the cavity conformingly dimensioned with the top portion of the lockingtab and positioned to receive the top portion of the locking tab whenthe cap is in the closed position.
 5. The connector of claim 4, whereina resilient portion of the cap projects into the locking tab channel inorder to increase the longitudinal force required to slide the topportion of the locking tab into and out of the cavity.
 6. The connectorof claim 1 further comprising an upper protrusion projecting from anunderside surface of the cap, the upper tab contacting the upper surfaceof the elongate body member.
 7. The connector of claim 6, wherein thedistance which the upper protrusion projects from the underside surfaceis a clearance distance between cap and the upper surface of theelongate body member, the clearance distance sufficient to permit thecap to slide over a distal portion of the received front tongue as thecap is slid into the closed position.
 8. The connector of claim 1,wherein the arcuate rivet clip extends between the first and second sidewalls and is structured and disposed for releasably securing the wiperblade to the connector, and the arcuate rivet clip sized to permit thereleasably secured wiper blade to pivot during operation of the wiperblade; and the rivet passage extending between the first and second sidewalls, the rivet passage structured and disposed to permit access to thearcuate rivet clip.
 9. A wiper blade assembly comprising: a wiper bladecomprising a wiper strip and a mounting base; a connector for connectinga wiper blade to a wiper arm, the connector comprising: a body memberhaving a first side wall, a second wall, and a top surface extendingbetween the first and second side walls; a connector securing structure,wherein the connector securing structure comprises a rivet passage andan arcuate rivet clip, the arcuate rivet clip extending from the rivetpassage at an angle between 75 and 90 degrees, the rivet passage and thearcuate rivet clip together having a hook like shape wherein the bodymember further comprises a front end, and a rear end, a first sidechannel longitudinally extending along a portion of an outer surface ofthe first side wall proximate the front end of the body member; a firsttongue receiving opening located towards the front end of the bodymember, the first tongue opening structured to receive a correspondingfront tongue on the wiper arm; and a U-shaped cap having an upper walland first and second side walls, and including a first side protrusionprovided on an interior surface of the first side wall of the cap, thefirst side protrusion correspondingly dimensioned and positioned toslide along the first side channel as the cap is slid between an openposition and a closed position, the cap operable to secure the receivedcorresponding front tongue on the wiper arm, wherein the first sidechannel is oriented in a direction corresponding with the longitudinaldirection of the body member, the cap thereby slidable substantiallyparallel to the top surface.